New traffic device leaves smartphone-obsessed Hong Kong pedestrians red in the face

Pedestrians crossing a road in Hong Kong, China. The new device works in sync with a traffic light and projects a red hue from above when pedestrians need to stop. — Bloomberg

HONG KONG: Pedestrians crossing the road in Hong Kong may now find themselves bathed in a red glow after authorities installed a device reminding the public to obey traffic lights.

Too often, Hong Kongers walk into traffic because they are distracted by their smartphones, Alex Au, chief engineer of the city’s transport department, said on July 7.